By gathering information from a volunteer sample of men who sleep with men (MSM) in the Johannesburg inner city, the study aimed to discover those decisions and behaviour that influence their health decision-making and health-seeking behaviour, particularly as far as HIV and their sexual health was concerned. Eleven in-depth interviews were conducted by three interviewers using a semistructured interview guide which asked questions on demographics, health-seeking behaviour, sexual orientations and behaviour, knowledge of HIV/AIDS and community support. During analysis, collected data was classified into the themes of access to health care, personal and general MSM HIV risk perceptions, sexual behaviour, alcohol and unprotected sex, prostitution, religion and stigma, violence and discrimination. This study was the first qualitative study researching MSM in the Johannesburg inner city and provides useful baseline information for further qualitative MSM studies in the geographical area and for the development of MSM aligned interventions. / Sociology / M.A. Sociology

The objective of this study was to: (1) assess the overall wellness climate profile of a sample of higher education call centre employees for national benchmarking purposes; (2) explore the relationship between the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout; and (3) determine how the participants differ regarding these variables in terms of socio-demographic contextual factors such as gender, race, age, and marital status. The South African Employee Health and Wellness Survey was used as a measuring instrument. Compared to the national norm, the results indicated a risky wellness climate reflecting a burnout propensity, lower morale (affective wellbeing) and lower resilience (sense of coherence). Significant relations existed between the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout levels. Significant differences regarding these variables were also detected between males and females and the various marital status groups regarding the participants‟ sense of coherence, affective wellbeing and burnout. The findings of this study contributed new knowledge that may be used to inform employee wellness programmes within a higher education call centre environment. The study concluded with recommendations for future research and practice. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Comm. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

The objective of this work was to assess the health risk of local muscular stress of the upper limbs associated with the operator's job at a workplace of a selected plant in the Olomouc administrative region and to propose adequate provisions. Three research questions were asked: (i) "Are the permitted levels, set as percent fractions of the maximum load, complied with in the operator's job?" (ii) "Are the hygiene limits regarding the numbers of movements complied with in the operator's job?" (iii) "Which preventive actions are suitable to counteract the risk of local muscular stress during machinery assembling work?" This research was conceived as qualitative investigation. The group examined comprised employees at the position of operator at a workplace of a selected plant in the Olomouc administrative region. The research work comprised data collection by using the method of direct, non-participating and overt observation, and study of professional literature, applicable legislation and test protocols and reports. I processed the results of measurement and compared them with the hygienic limits laid down by Government Decree No. 361/2007 Coll. (as amended). Based on the assessment of the data obtained, I classed the operator's job as Category 3 with respect to the local muscular stress factor examined, based on the criteria set by Regulation No. 432/2003 Coll. (as amended). Based on the risk assessment and categorization of labour I proposed appropriate preventive measures to mitigate the effect of local muscular stress during the operators' work. I set up a simple questionnaire asking for a subjective assessment of the locomotive system stress during work as a tool for a more comprehensive assessment of the operators' local muscular stress. Based on the research I formulated the following hypothesis: "In view of the increasing trend of incidence of occupational diseases of the limbs due to overload, and taking into account the appreciable social and economic impacts of such diseases, more attention should be devoted to a systematic search, assessment and evaluation of the local muscular stress factor risk during work."

Made available in DSpace on 2015-06-17T19:33:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2014-12-18. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-06-18T12:48:23Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000831435.pdf: 1667183 bytes, checksum: 8f1db2c125652fa4e81fb29c72fd268b (MD5) / As Hepatites virais B e C representam um grande problema de saúde pública no mundo e no Brasil devido às características clínicas, alta morbidade e mortalidade. São doenças transmitidas principalmente por via parenteral, através do sangue de indivíduos contaminados. A transmissão pode-se dar mediante procedimentos estéticos que utilizam materiais perfurocortantes como tatuagens, piercings e material de manicure, se não tiver o devido preparo de limpeza e esterilização. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o conhecimento sobre hepatites virais e influencia da formação nas atitudes e práticas de prevenção relacionadas ao cuidado com as unhas entre alunas da área da saúde. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, transversal, descritivo e analítico com abordagem quantiqualitativa desenvolvido em duas etapas com alunas do curso de Enfermagem e Medicina da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu/UNESP. Na primeira etapa todas as graduandas ingressantes e concluintes dos cursos de Medicina e Enfermagem, no ano letivo de 2013 responderam a um questionário auto preenchível. A avaliação de conhecimentos e atitudes em relação a contaminação por Hepatite foi feita por meio de testes de associação (qui-quadrado), entre as ingressantes e concluintes dos cursos. Em todos os testes foi utilizado o nível de significância de 5%. Na segunda etapa do estudo que empregou abordagem qualitativa, foram incluídas 24 alunas concluintes dos mesmos cursos, convidadas, de forma aleatória, a participar dessa etapa. A quantidade de alunas de cada curso a serem entrevistadas foi determinada pelo ponto de saturação. A idade média observada das alunas ingressantes do curso de enfermagem e medicina foi de 19,8 anos e 20,1 anos, respectivamente. Entre as do 4º ano de enfermagem foi de 22,4 anos e do 6º ano medicina foi 24,7 anos. O conhecimento teórico a respeito das Hepatites B e C foi incorporado ao longo da formação acadêmica, seja em ... / Viral Hepatitis B and C constitute a major public health problem worldwide and in Brazil, given their clinical features, high morbidity and mortality. These diseases are primarily parenterally transmitted, through contact with blood from infected individuals. Transmission can occur through cosmetic procedures that use needlestick materials, such as those involved in tattoos, piercings and manicure, due to lack of proper training or cleaning and sterilization. The goal of this study was to assess the knowledge of healthcare students on viral hepatitis, and the influence of their training on their attitude and preventive behavior when doing or having their nails done. This is an exploratory, cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study, with a quanti-qualitative approach, developed in two stages, with nursing and medical female students from the Botucatu Medical School, UNESP. In the first stage, all first and last-year pre-graduate, female, nursing and medical students of the academic year 2013 completed a self-administered questionnaire. Their awareness and behavior regarding possible hepatitis virus contamination of manicure materials were assessed by means of association tests (chi-square) between first and last-year students. In all the tests, the significance level used was 5%. In the second stage of the study the approach was qualitative, with 24 last-year, nursing and medical female students, randomly invited to participate. The number of students from each course to be interviewed was determined by the saturation point. The mean ages of firstyear nursing and medical students were 19.8 and 20.1 years, respectively. The mean ages of fourth-year nursing students and sixth-year medical students were 22.4 and 24.7 years, respectively. Theoretical knowledge regarding hepatitis B and C was acquired throughout the academic training, whether concerning prevention, transmission or even definitions. Assessing the knowledge, attitude and ...

A exposição a tintas, as quais contêm solventes orgânicos e metais, pode levar a danos no DNA e formação de espécies reativas (ER), que podem lesar diversas classes de moléculas. Em vista disso, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar possíveis danos oxidativos, genotóxicos e mutagênicos em 33 indivíduos, do sexo masculino, ocupacionalmente expostos a tintas há, no mínimo, 6 meses. Para o grupo controle, foram selecionados 29 indivíduos saudáveis, não expostos a tintas, pareados em idade com o grupo exposto. A fim de verificar a influência do descanso do fim de semana, foram realizadas coletas na segunda-feira pela manhã e na sexta-feira ao final da jornada de trabalho. Os danos oxidativos foram avaliados pelos produtos de reação com o ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), proteínas carboniladas (PC) e atividade das enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (Sod) e catalase (Cat). Foram medidos, ainda, o ácido hipúrico (AH) e o ácido deltaaminolevulínico (ALA), marcadores urinários de exposição ao tolueno e ao chumbo, respectivamente. A genotoxicidade foi avaliada pelo ensaio cometa (em sangue periférico) e pelo teste de micronúcleos (MN) (em linfócitos e células da mucosa bucal). Não foi observado aumento significativo nos níveis de TBARS no grupo exposto quando comparado ao grupo controle. Entretanto, verificou-se, neste grupo, um maior índice de danos aos lipídeos nas amostras coletadas na sexta-feira comparado com as amostras coletadas na segunda-feira (p = 0,008; z = -2,637). Ao final da semana (amostras coletadas na sexta-feira), os indivíduos expostos a tintas apresentaram mais danos às proteínas em comparação com o grupo controle (p = 0,032; z = -2,14). Observou-se também, que os trabalhadores expostos a tintas tiveram uma diminuição nas atividades de Sod (p = 0,003; z = 2,935) e Cat (p = 0,025; z = -2,247) nas amostras de segunda-feira, bem como valores mais elevados de AH (p = 0,010; z = - 2,591) e de ALA (p = 0,000; z = -4,487). A exposição a tintas induziu um aumento significativo dos danos ao DNA (principalmente classes um e dois), tanto nas amostras coletadas na segunda (p = 0,000; z = - 5,356) quanto nas de sexta-feira (p = 0,000; z = -6,456). Apesar de não ter sido encontrado um aumento na frequência de MN em linfócitos ou em células da mucosa bucal no grupo exposto, observou-se um aumento de nuclear buds (NBUDs) (segunda-feira, p = 0,004, z = - 2,894), uma diminuição do índice de divisão nuclear (IDN) (sexta-feira, p = 0,000, z = -4,78) nos linfócitos e um aumento na frequência de células com cromatina condensada nas células da mucosa bucal (segunda-feira, p = 0,000, z = -4,503; sexta-feira, p = 0,000, z = -5,203), indicativo de amplificação gênica e indução de mecanismos apoptóticos nestas células. Observou-se uma correlação positiva entre o índice de danos no DNA (ensaio cometa) e o tempo de exposição a tintas (r = 0,376; p = 0,031), assim como entre o tempo diário de exposição a tintas e a frequência de micronúcleos (segunda-feira, r = 0,450; p = 0,018) e de NBUDs (sexta-feira, (r = 0,402; p = 0,038) nos indivíduos expostos. Embora outros estudos sejam necessários, esses resultados mostram que a exposição ocupacional a tintas pode induzir um aumento de danos no DNA, os quais parecem estar sendo reparados durante o descanso do final de semana. / Submitted by Marcelo Teixeira (mvteixeira@ucs.br) on 2014-05-29T19:53:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Carina Cassini.pdf: 626115 bytes, checksum: 4477a810de80e2c9702e22c8302fba89 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-29T19:53:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Carina Cassini.pdf: 626115 bytes, checksum: 4477a810de80e2c9702e22c8302fba89 (MD5) / Organic solvents and metals, widely used in paints, can lead to DNA damages and reactives species (RS) generation. The aim of this study was to evaluate possibles oxidative, genotoxic and mutagenic damages in 33 male workers exposed for at least six months to paint. To constitute the control group 29 healthy individuals were choosen, without paint exposure, which matched in age with exposed group. Two sampling were performed to verify a possible DNA repair during the weekend: in the beginning and at the end of work week. The oxidative damages were evaluated by thiobarbituric acid reaction products (TBARS), carbonylated proteins (CP), superoxide dismutase (Sod) and catalase (Cat) activities. Hippuric acid (HA) and delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) were used as toluene and lead markers exposure, respectively. The genotoxicity was evaluated by comet assay (in peripherical blood) and by micronucleus (MN) test (in limphocytes and exfoliated buccal cells). The results showed no significant increase in TBARS levels in exposed group in relation to the control group. However, the lipidic damages was higher in Friday samples comparing to Monday samples (p = 0.008; z = -2.637). The proteins damage was higher in exposed group in comparison to control group exclusively in Friday samples (p = 0.032; z = -2.14). It was also observed that the workers exposed to paints showed lower Sod (p = 0.003; z = 2.935) and Cat (p = 0.025; z = -2.247) activities in Monday samples. The exposed group presented HA levels (p = 0.010; z = - 2.591) and ALA levels (p = 0.000; z = -4.487) higher than the control group. The workers exposed to paints presented a significant increase in DNA damage in both Monday (p = 0.000; z = -5.356) and Friday (p = 0.000; z = -6.456) samples. No increase was observed in MN frequency in limphocytes and buccal cells. However, the individuals exposed to paints showed an increase in nuclear buds (NBUDS) (Monday samples, p = 0.004, z = -2.894), a reduction in nuclear division index (NDI) (Friday samples, p = 0.000, z = -4.78) in lymphocytes and an increase in condensed chromatin frequency in buccal cells (Monday samples, p = 0.000, z = -4.503; Friday samples, p = 0.000, z = -5.203), indicating genic amplification and apoptosis induction. The DNA damage index (comet assay) correlated positively with average working time (r = 0.376; p = 0.031). It was also observed a positive correlation between time daily exposure and MN (Monday samples, r = 0.450; p = 0.018) and NBUDs (Friday samples: r = 0.402; p = 0.038) frequency. These results showed that paint exposure is able to generate DNA damages and these damages are being repaired during the weekend.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A correlação entre os métodos que calculam risco ergonômico oferece uma contribuição do método ergonômico mais adequado para frigorífico de suíno. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho foi relacionar o desempenho de quatro ferramentas de fator de risco ergonômico (OCRA - Occupational Repetitive Actions, RULA - Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, REBA - Rapid Entire Body Assessment e TOR-TOM -Taxa de Ocupação Real - Taxa de Ocupação Máxima) através de análise estatística. A coleta dos dados ocorreu no setor sala de cortes por meio da aplicação do método observacional por filmagem. Os métodos calculados foram convertidos para uma escala Likert de cinco pontos e realizado uma análise de variância entre grupos (ANOVA) e comparação múltipla. Como resultado pode-se afirmar que todos os riscos ergonômicos não apresentam diferença significativa entre as ferramentas, e quando realizada a comparação múltipla, os métodos dinâmicos (OCRA e TORTOM) se diferenciaram dos métodos estáticos (RULA e REBA). Através da regressão linear os métodos dinâmicos se mostraram mais adequados para os postos de trabalho em frigorífico. Para concluir, os métodos dinâmicos são adequados para análise de risco ergonômico em frigorífico de suíno e podem ser usados ponderando os objetivos de análise, as necessidades dos postos de trabalho, redução da exposição ao risco ergonômico e como consequência redução da exposição a doenças muscoesqueléticas. / The correlation between the methods that calculate ergonomic risk offers a contribution of the most appropriate ergonomic method for the swine chill. In this context, the objective of this study was to correlate the performance of four ergonomic risk factor tools (OCRA - Rapid Upper Limb Assessment, REBA - Rapid Entire Body Assessment and TOR-TOM - Occupancy Rate Real - Rate of Maximum Occupancy) through statistical analysis. The data collection was performed in the courtroom sector through the application of the observational method by filming. The calculated methods were converted to a five-point Likert scale and performed an analysis of variance between groups (ANOVA) and multiple comparison. As a result it can be stated that all ergonomic risks do not present significant differences between the tools, and when the multiple comparison was made, the dynamic methods (OCRA and TOR-TOM) differed from static methods (RULA and REBA). Through linear regression, the dynamic methods were more adequate for the refrigeration workstations. To conclude, the dynamic methods are suitable for ergonomic risk analysis in pigs and can be used by weighing the objectives of analysis, the needs of the work stations, reducing the exposure to ergonomic risk and as a consequence reducing the exposure to musculoskeletal diseases.

Orientador: Margareth Aparecida Santini de Almeida / Coorientador: Marli Teresinha Cassamassimo Duarte / Banca: Elucir Gir / Banca: Cristiane Murta Ramalho Nascimento / Resumo: As Hepatites virais B e C representam um grande problema de saúde pública no mundo e no Brasil devido às características clínicas, alta morbidade e mortalidade. São doenças transmitidas principalmente por via parenteral, através do sangue de indivíduos contaminados. A transmissão pode-se dar mediante procedimentos estéticos que utilizam materiais perfurocortantes como tatuagens, piercings e material de manicure, se não tiver o devido preparo de limpeza e esterilização. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o conhecimento sobre hepatites virais e influencia da formação nas atitudes e práticas de prevenção relacionadas ao cuidado com as unhas entre alunas da área da saúde. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório, transversal, descritivo e analítico com abordagem quantiqualitativa desenvolvido em duas etapas com alunas do curso de Enfermagem e Medicina da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu/UNESP. Na primeira etapa todas as graduandas ingressantes e concluintes dos cursos de Medicina e Enfermagem, no ano letivo de 2013 responderam a um questionário auto preenchível. A avaliação de conhecimentos e atitudes em relação a contaminação por Hepatite foi feita por meio de testes de associação (qui-quadrado), entre as ingressantes e concluintes dos cursos. Em todos os testes foi utilizado o nível de significância de 5%. Na segunda etapa do estudo que empregou abordagem qualitativa, foram incluídas 24 alunas concluintes dos mesmos cursos, convidadas, de forma aleatória, a participar dessa etapa. A quantidade de alunas de cada curso a serem entrevistadas foi determinada pelo ponto de saturação. A idade média observada das alunas ingressantes do curso de enfermagem e medicina foi de 19,8 anos e 20,1 anos, respectivamente. Entre as do 4º ano de enfermagem foi de 22,4 anos e do 6º ano medicina foi 24,7 anos. O conhecimento teórico a respeito das Hepatites B e C foi incorporado ao longo da formação acadêmica, seja em ... / Abstract: Viral Hepatitis B and C constitute a major public health problem worldwide and in Brazil, given their clinical features, high morbidity and mortality. These diseases are primarily parenterally transmitted, through contact with blood from infected individuals. Transmission can occur through cosmetic procedures that use needlestick materials, such as those involved in tattoos, piercings and manicure, due to lack of proper training or cleaning and sterilization. The goal of this study was to assess the knowledge of healthcare students on viral hepatitis, and the influence of their training on their attitude and preventive behavior when doing or having their nails done. This is an exploratory, cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study, with a quanti-qualitative approach, developed in two stages, with nursing and medical female students from the Botucatu Medical School, UNESP. In the first stage, all first and last-year pre-graduate, female, nursing and medical students of the academic year 2013 completed a self-administered questionnaire. Their awareness and behavior regarding possible hepatitis virus contamination of manicure materials were assessed by means of association tests (chi-square) between first and last-year students. In all the tests, the significance level used was 5%. In the second stage of the study the approach was qualitative, with 24 last-year, nursing and medical female students, randomly invited to participate. The number of students from each course to be interviewed was determined by the saturation point. The mean ages of firstyear nursing and medical students were 19.8 and 20.1 years, respectively. The mean ages of fourth-year nursing students and sixth-year medical students were 22.4 and 24.7 years, respectively. Theoretical knowledge regarding hepatitis B and C was acquired throughout the academic training, whether concerning prevention, transmission or even definitions. Assessing the knowledge, attitude and ... / Mestre

A exposição a tintas, as quais contêm solventes orgânicos e metais, pode levar a danos no DNA e formação de espécies reativas (ER), que podem lesar diversas classes de moléculas. Em vista disso, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar possíveis danos oxidativos, genotóxicos e mutagênicos em 33 indivíduos, do sexo masculino, ocupacionalmente expostos a tintas há, no mínimo, 6 meses. Para o grupo controle, foram selecionados 29 indivíduos saudáveis, não expostos a tintas, pareados em idade com o grupo exposto. A fim de verificar a influência do descanso do fim de semana, foram realizadas coletas na segunda-feira pela manhã e na sexta-feira ao final da jornada de trabalho. Os danos oxidativos foram avaliados pelos produtos de reação com o ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS), proteínas carboniladas (PC) e atividade das enzimas antioxidantes superóxido dismutase (Sod) e catalase (Cat). Foram medidos, ainda, o ácido hipúrico (AH) e o ácido deltaaminolevulínico (ALA), marcadores urinários de exposição ao tolueno e ao chumbo, respectivamente. A genotoxicidade foi avaliada pelo ensaio cometa (em sangue periférico) e pelo teste de micronúcleos (MN) (em linfócitos e células da mucosa bucal). Não foi observado aumento significativo nos níveis de TBARS no grupo exposto quando comparado ao grupo controle. Entretanto, verificou-se, neste grupo, um maior índice de danos aos lipídeos nas amostras coletadas na sexta-feira comparado com as amostras coletadas na segunda-feira (p = 0,008; z = -2,637). Ao final da semana (amostras coletadas na sexta-feira), os indivíduos expostos a tintas apresentaram mais danos às proteínas em comparação com o grupo controle (p = 0,032; z = -2,14). Observou-se também, que os trabalhadores expostos a tintas tiveram uma diminuição nas atividades de Sod (p = 0,003; z = 2,935) e Cat (p = 0,025; z = -2,247) nas amostras de segunda-feira, bem como valores mais elevados de AH (p = 0,010; z = - 2,591) e de ALA (p = 0,000; z = -4,487). A exposição a tintas induziu um aumento significativo dos danos ao DNA (principalmente classes um e dois), tanto nas amostras coletadas na segunda (p = 0,000; z = - 5,356) quanto nas de sexta-feira (p = 0,000; z = -6,456). Apesar de não ter sido encontrado um aumento na frequência de MN em linfócitos ou em células da mucosa bucal no grupo exposto, observou-se um aumento de nuclear buds (NBUDs) (segunda-feira, p = 0,004, z = - 2,894), uma diminuição do índice de divisão nuclear (IDN) (sexta-feira, p = 0,000, z = -4,78) nos linfócitos e um aumento na frequência de células com cromatina condensada nas células da mucosa bucal (segunda-feira, p = 0,000, z = -4,503; sexta-feira, p = 0,000, z = -5,203), indicativo de amplificação gênica e indução de mecanismos apoptóticos nestas células. Observou-se uma correlação positiva entre o índice de danos no DNA (ensaio cometa) e o tempo de exposição a tintas (r = 0,376; p = 0,031), assim como entre o tempo diário de exposição a tintas e a frequência de micronúcleos (segunda-feira, r = 0,450; p = 0,018) e de NBUDs (sexta-feira, (r = 0,402; p = 0,038) nos indivíduos expostos. Embora outros estudos sejam necessários, esses resultados mostram que a exposição ocupacional a tintas pode induzir um aumento de danos no DNA, os quais parecem estar sendo reparados durante o descanso do final de semana. / Organic solvents and metals, widely used in paints, can lead to DNA damages and reactives species (RS) generation. The aim of this study was to evaluate possibles oxidative, genotoxic and mutagenic damages in 33 male workers exposed for at least six months to paint. To constitute the control group 29 healthy individuals were choosen, without paint exposure, which matched in age with exposed group. Two sampling were performed to verify a possible DNA repair during the weekend: in the beginning and at the end of work week. The oxidative damages were evaluated by thiobarbituric acid reaction products (TBARS), carbonylated proteins (CP), superoxide dismutase (Sod) and catalase (Cat) activities. Hippuric acid (HA) and delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) were used as toluene and lead markers exposure, respectively. The genotoxicity was evaluated by comet assay (in peripherical blood) and by micronucleus (MN) test (in limphocytes and exfoliated buccal cells). The results showed no significant increase in TBARS levels in exposed group in relation to the control group. However, the lipidic damages was higher in Friday samples comparing to Monday samples (p = 0.008; z = -2.637). The proteins damage was higher in exposed group in comparison to control group exclusively in Friday samples (p = 0.032; z = -2.14). It was also observed that the workers exposed to paints showed lower Sod (p = 0.003; z = 2.935) and Cat (p = 0.025; z = -2.247) activities in Monday samples. The exposed group presented HA levels (p = 0.010; z = - 2.591) and ALA levels (p = 0.000; z = -4.487) higher than the control group. The workers exposed to paints presented a significant increase in DNA damage in both Monday (p = 0.000; z = -5.356) and Friday (p = 0.000; z = -6.456) samples. No increase was observed in MN frequency in limphocytes and buccal cells. However, the individuals exposed to paints showed an increase in nuclear buds (NBUDS) (Monday samples, p = 0.004, z = -2.894), a reduction in nuclear division index (NDI) (Friday samples, p = 0.000, z = -4.78) in lymphocytes and an increase in condensed chromatin frequency in buccal cells (Monday samples, p = 0.000, z = -4.503; Friday samples, p = 0.000, z = -5.203), indicating genic amplification and apoptosis induction. The DNA damage index (comet assay) correlated positively with average working time (r = 0.376; p = 0.031). It was also observed a positive correlation between time daily exposure and MN (Monday samples, r = 0.450; p = 0.018) and NBUDs (Friday samples: r = 0.402; p = 0.038) frequency. These results showed that paint exposure is able to generate DNA damages and these damages are being repaired during the weekend.

A study was conducted to investigate factors associated with the perceived future self-efficacy in adolescents with spina bifida. Thirteen adolescents with spina bifida and their parents were surveyed. Seventeen adolescents without an identified disability and their parents were also surveyed. The Questionnaire of Future Adult Activities (QFAA) and the Health Attribution Test (HAT) were administered. Parent responses were compared to those of adolescents and adolescent responses were compared between groups. There was no overall correlation between parent and adolescent responses. Differences were found between responses of adolescents with spina bifida and adolescents without an identified disability. Limited correlations were found between the QFAA and the HAT.

The present study adopted a “field-laboratory-field” approach in the assessment of the efficacy of ergonomics interventions specific to two selected tasks evaluated in a South African automotive industry. Initial field testing was conducted in an Eastern Cape (South Africa) automotive plant where high risk areas were identified during walkthrough ergonomics surveys in conjunction with interaction with operators. Temporal factors and working postures of 12 industrial workers were recorded and observed, while physiological and perceptual responses were assessed. Two priority areas were focused upon for analysis, namely the Paintshop and Bodyshop with the former identified as being the more taxing of the two tasks. Responses of 30 students participating in rigourously controlled laboratory simulations were subsequently collected while completing the two tasks, namely the Paintshop Trolley Transfer (PTT) and Car Door Carriage (CDC) for participants. Working postures, kinematic, physiological and perceptual responses were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Following the laboratory experimentation a basic re-evaluation was conducted at the plant to assess whether the proposed changes had a positive effect on working postures, physiological and perceptual responses. The results of the preliminary field investigation revealed a prevalence of awkward working postures and excessive manual work in both areas. Laboratory experimentation revealed a notable reduction in task demands pre- versus post-intervention. The PTT mean lean angle for two-handed pre-intervention pulling observations of 23.7° (±3.51) was reduced to 13.9° (±2.21) post-intervention. Low back disorder (LBD) risk was reduced during the two-handed pull intervention (from 36.8% ±8.03 to 21.7% ±5.31). A significant decrement in heart rate responses from 103 bt.min-1 (±11.62) to 93 bt.min[superscript -1] (±11.77) was recorded during the two-handed symmetrical pushing intervention. The electromyography (EMG) responses for one-handed pushing and pulling pre-intervention showed the highest levels of muscular activity in the right medial deltoid due to an awkward and asymmetrical posture. CDC responses demonstrated that minor changes in the storage height of the door resulted in a significant reduction in sagittal flexion from 28.0° (±4.78) to 20.7° (±5.65). Predictions of average probability of LBD risk were significantly reduced from 50.3% (±5.91) to 39.8% (±5.10) for post-intervention car door lifting. In addition, the greatest reduction in EMG activity as a %MVC was achieved during sub-task ii (reduced from 35.1 to 13.7% and 30.5 to 13.9% for left and right erector spinae respectively) which was associated with the introduction of the transfer trolley for the door transfer phase of the CDC. Re-evaluation in the automotive plant revealed that the most notable change has been the implementation of automated ride on trolleys in the Paintshop. The Bodyshop area has also been modified to allow more effective job rotation and the step into the storage bin has been reduced via a “low-cost” stepping platform. Mean heart rate recordings were reduced from 94 (±9.77) bt.min[superscript -1] to 81 (±3.72) bt.min[superscript -1] in the Paintshop. Overall the results demonstrate the effect of “low-cost” interventions in reducing the physical stresses placed on workers in the automotive industry where much of the work is still done manually.